Because of its special relation to the sea, the coastline, and maritime activities, the coastal area of southern Istria requires special attention. This coastal area typology serves to detect heterogeneity in the coastal area and its development potential. Creating typologies using multivariate analysis (cluster analysis) and geographic information systems is a starting point for respecting the principles of regional development and integral coastal zone management. Thus, five types with two subtypes were obtained for the coastal area of the County of Istria based on five variables. The variables used were: construction areas in the space of constraints; the share of permanently occupied dwellings; the development index; the share of employees in hospitality; and fishery. The discussion section gives a special review of the coastal area of southern Istria and its development potentials. In the conclusion, the obtained types were placed in the context of their respective geographic positions and also of the nodal-functional organization of the space. Problem areas, threatened in the risk scenario due to excessive tourism and urbanization of the coast (despite their current development level), were also identified, as well as areas that already base their development on maritime activities without excessive urbanization of the coast.